White House insiders are reportedly mocking President Donald Trump behind his back with a nickname for his new $300 million ballroom project, according to biographer Michael Wolff.
Wolff said aides have been calling it the “Epstein Ballroom,” a reference to Trump’s past acquaintance with Jeffrey Epstein.
The claim was made during an interview on the Daily Beast podcast “Inside Trump’s Head.”
Wolff said a White House insider used the phrase casually in conversation, without prompting.
He said the comment shows that even Trump’s own team sees the ballroom project as embarrassing.
Wolff said the aide grew “sheepish” when questioned about the nickname but admitted the term had been used “more than a few times.”
Trump plans for the ballroom to replace the demolished East Wing and be named after himself.
The project is still underway and is expected to be completed in 2029.
Wolff said the nickname shows two things. He said the ballroom is widely seen as “bordering on preposterous” and that Epstein’s connection to Trump “is everywhere in Trump world.”
Trump and Epstein were acquaintances for years, according to The Daily Beast.
Epstein died in jail in 2019 while facing charges related to underage sex trafficking.
Wolff said the nickname also shows that many Trump aides are not blindly loyal, but are “clear-eyed” and aware of the optics. He said they are still staying in place despite the controversy.
White House officials responded by attacking Wolff instead of denying the claim.
Communications Director Steven Cheung called him “a lying sack of s*it” and said he has “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”
Wolff is currently suing Melania Trump, claiming she has tried to block questions about Trump’s relationship with Epstein. He said the lawsuit will allow him to subpoena the president and first lady.
Wolff said the suit could force testimony that exposes private details about Trump and Epstein. He said it may be the only way to “get to the bottom of this story.”
The nickname story comes as Trump faces growing criticism over the ballroom project itself. The price tag has sparked backlash, even among Trump allies.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the ballroom is Trump’s “main priority” and will be named after him. Critics have called it a “vanity project.”
Online commenters mocked the plan and said the room should be named after Epstein instead of Trump. Wolff said the nickname inside the White House shows that some aides agree privately.
Wolff said the official name will be the Trump Ballroom. He said insiders will still call it the “Epstein Ballroom.”
